Inner seal for caskets



Sept. 21 1926. 1,600,768

E. LUNSFORD INNER SEAL FOR GASKETS Filed August s, 192s WVENTOR 1 j wfil unsfa fa,

ATTORNEYS WITNEQSES Patented Sept. 21, less nnnns'r LuNsFoaD, or ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

ritiiinit snarl nfo R onsiin'rs.

h'ppl icatioii filed August 8, 1925; Serial No. 49,116.

a or transparent panel on the metal frame member of the inner seal in such a manner that the proper packing and tight securing action is had without danger of cracking the glass.

A further object resides in the provision of a device of this character which is of simple and durable construction, reliable and efiicient in operation and easy and comparatively inexpensive manufacture.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, .rrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation showing one embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings it will be seen that in all embodiments of the invention an inner seal, designated generally at 10, is pr vided and is adapted to be mounted on a casket (not shown) in the usual way. In accordance with the usual practice the inner seal includes an open rectangular frame'12 and a glass or transparent panel 13.

The present invention aims to provide av novel mounting for the glass 13 on the frame 12 and to this end the frame 12 is formed around its upper marginal edge with an an nular inwardly directed flange 1a having a downwardly extending lip 15 around its inner edge. I

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 1 externally threaded depending studs 16 are provided at regular spaced intervals around theunderside of the flange 1 1, the upper ends of the studs 16 being spotwelded to the underside of the flange 14. A strip 17 is placed up against the inner face of the flange 14 and is confined and concealed by the lip 15 although the packing strip is of such a size as to extend down at leastas far as-the lower edge of the lip 15 when subjected to maximum compression. The packing strip may be of any elastic packing or it may be of soft lead. The upper marginal of the glass 13 are en gaged by a similar strip 18. The strips 17 and 18 are narrow andare 'locate'dbetwe'en the studs 16' andthe lip 15. Fastening means is provided for holding the glass in proper position and for urging the packing strips 17 and 18 into engagement with the glass and the packing strip 17 into engagement with the flange without subjecting the glass to cracking strains .while placing the necessary compression on these parts. For this purpose this fastening means'comprises' an angular element 19 which may take the form of a lug for each stud 16 or which may take the form of a plate'or frame having openings receiving-the several studs. The fastening element 19 has a portion 20 engaging the flange 14, as at 21, and a portion 22- engaging the packing strip 18 and formed with an opening 23 for each stud. Nuts 24: are threaded on the studs and engage the portions 22 of thefc-lamping elements 19.

lVith this arrangement when the nuts 2 are tightened up the glass is secured in posi-' tion and the packing is placed under the desired compressions, the action of the nuts.

being transmitted through the resilient clamping element the resiliency of the clamping element being interposed between the nuts and the packing precludes the pos- J sibility of destructive strains being set up in the glass. 7

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2 the studs 16 are omitted and relatively wide packing strips 25 and 26 replace the narrow packing strips 17 and 18. The resilient clamping elements 19 are employed and are urged into co-operative engagement with the packing strip26 by means of set screws 27 having threaded engagement'with internally threaded openings of arms 28 of brackets 29, the brackets 29 having portions 30 spot-welded to the frame 12. The

actionof this embodiment is essentially the same as that hereinabove described.

Thepacking strips may be of any elastic packing or of soft lead as hereinabove set out, but preferably these packing strips are composed of acomposition of asbestos and ground lead.

'I claim 1. An inner seal for caskets including a frame having a flange and a glass, comprising packing strips engaged with the glass, one of the packing strips being engaged with the flange, a resilient clamping element and a glass and comprising packing strips engaged With the upper and lower marginal edgesof the glass, the upper packing strips engaging the underside of the flange, means for holding the packing stripsand glass in position and for compressing the packing strips and consisting of fastening means resilient means interposed between the fastening means and packing strips and comprising angular clamping elements constructed oi resilient metal, each angular clamping element having a substantially vertical portion having its upper end engaging and fulcrumed on the juncture of the flange and frame, each angular clamp ing element also having a substantially horizontal portion engaged on one side by the fastening means and on the other side by the lower packing strip.

ERNEST. LUNsreiu j 

